The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for starting an IT support career. It requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1201) on hardware, mobile devices and networking, and Core 2 (220-1202) on operating systems, security and troubleshooting.
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Key takeaways
- Two exams, each with up to 90 questions in 90 minutes.
- Passing scores: 675 (Core 1) and 700 (Core 2) on a 100–900 scale.
- Each exam costs about $274 in the U.S.
- Includes performance-based questions (PBQs).
USA CompTIA A+ Exam: Quick Facts
- Exams
- 220-1201 and 220-1202
- Questions
- Up to 90 each
- Time
- 90 minutes each
- Passing
- 675 / 700 (of 900)
- Cost
- About $274 per exam
CompTIA A+ Exam Topics
| Core 1 (220-1201) | Core 2 (220-1202) |
|---|---|
| Mobile devices | Operating systems |
| Networking | Security |
| Hardware | Software troubleshooting |
| Virtualization and cloud computing | Operational procedures |
| Hardware and network troubleshooting | — |
CompTIA A+ Career Path
A+ leads to help desk and desktop support roles. Common next steps: CompTIA Security+ for security, CCNA for networking and AWS Cloud Practitioner for cloud.
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Go to the USA CompTIA A+ Exam practice test →USA CompTIA A+ Exam FAQs
How many exams are in CompTIA A+?
Two: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You must pass both.
Full answer →What is the passing score for CompTIA A+?
675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2, on a scale of 100–900.
Full answer →How much does the CompTIA A+ exam cost?
About $274 per exam voucher in the U.S., so roughly $548 total.
Full answer →Does CompTIA A+ expire?
Yes. It’s valid for 3 years and can be renewed through continuing education.
Full answer →Official sources
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